Thornton rubbed her face with her shackled hands as prosecutors described the case against her in a New Orleans courtroom Thursday. Relatives wept as she was led from the courtroom. An attorney representing her declined comment.

Thornton's mother said she had been treated for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, but had stopped taking her medication months ago.

The bodies of the boy and girl were found by their paternal grandmother Wednesday evening.

Thornton was arrested later at a New Orleans hospital where she had gone for treatment of a headache and abdominal pains.

Police said the boy had been shot in the head and the girl had been drowned. Both were found in a bathtub.

Police said the boy was shot with a semi-automatic handgun. In a court record, police said Thornton told investigators that the girl was drowned after the gun failed to fire again.